Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, it can be hard to lift your head from the pillow. You hear that alarm going off and can barely reach over to hit the snooze button. When you finally make it out of bed, coffee is the first thing on your mind. It has been a busy week: you are worn out and having trouble concentrating on the day ahead!

This feeling of being worn out is your body’s way of healing during times of stress. Your body is clamoring for more rest, because in order to restore itself, the body needs to sleep. As your body begins to heal, mornings become easier and your focus improves.

But, what if it doesn’t? What does it mean if you continue to feel lethargic and drained week after week? What if your brain feels fuzzy all of the time and you find that you are constantly forgetting things because you’re so tired? At this point, there may be something more than day-to-day stress causing your fatigue. Exhaustion, either physical or mental, should not last for weeks at a time.

Fortunately, a Fatigue Panel or Adrenal Health/Stress Profile will test for a variety of potential causes. Causes of fatigue are varied. In some people, it can be caused by a disease, such as Lyme disease or mononucleosis. In other people, it can be triggered by hormone or blood sugar imbalances. And, others may discover that fatigue is a result of conditions like anemia or low iron levels.

With so many causes of fatigue, the first step to regaining your energy is knowing why you feel drained. From there, treatments that include medication, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can be used to help you recover. Of course, resolving your fatigue won’t completely get rid of sleepy, coffee-filled mornings, but it will certainly help you restore the energy and focus that it takes to make the most of your time from morning until night.

If you have been fatigued for more than two weeks, stop in to your local Any Lab Test Now location and ask for the Fatigue Panel. Keep in mind that this test does require fasting for eight hours prior to the sample being collected. You can also inquire about our Adrenal Health/Stress Profile. Both tests are a quick, simple way to help you start the process of recovery.

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already wondered if you are at risk for diabetes. The fact is, with around 1.4 million Americans being diagnosed with diabetes every year, odds are you could be one of them. And when you take into account that more than 8 million Americans are living with undiagnosed diabetes, and another 86 million are living with prediabetes, the numbers start to become especially alarming.

Diabetes and prediabetes can be manageable — so long as you are aware of your condition. But with so many people unknowingly living with diabetes every day, there are many whose health will only worsen over time. That’s because, if left unchecked, diabetes can greatly increase your risk of:

… And the list goes on. The truth is, you are much better off knowing your risk for diabetes than remaining blissfully unaware — the knowledge could save your life! While no one can know for sure without getting tested, there are certain factors that could indicate a higher risk of having diabetes. Those especially at risk are:

– People who are overweight or obese. – Adults 45 years of age or older. – People who have an immediate family member with diabetes. – People who are physically active less than three times per week.

If you identify with one or more of the risk factors listed above, it’s time to consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are concerned about your risk of diabetes, there are many tests at Any Lab Test Now that can help you find the answers you need. Many of the diabetes tests at Any Lab Test Now are perfect both for diabetics looking to maintain their health or those interested in finding out if they have diabetes.

– A Complete Blood Count Test to detect blood disorders such as infection or anemia – A Fasting Glucose Test to detect hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia – A Hemoglobin A1c Test to detect prediabetes or diabetes, or see if your diabetes is under control – A Diabetic Urinalysis to determine if your kidneys aren’t working properly

These four tests can give you and your doctor the information you need to assess your risk for and manage your diabetes.

Another helpful test for those wondering if they are diabetic, or those who have diabetes and want to keep an eye on their health, is Any Lab Test Now’s Insulin Lab Test. This test measures insulin production in your body — low levels of which can indicate that you have diabetes. This test is often used with the Glucose Tolerance Test to evaluate insulin resistance, another indicator of diabetes.

Make it your goal to take charge of your health and monitor your risk for diabetes. Talk to the experts at Any Lab Test Now to find the right diabetes testing options for your needs.

Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in American men. Despite this, many people remain unaware of the disease and do not monitor their prostate health on an on-going basis. It is imperative that men continue to learn about prostate cancer and take the necessary steps to catch the cancer early on.

What is prostate cancer? It is a form of cancer that grows in a man’s prostate. The prostate is an organ located just below the bladder that is responsible for the production of seminal fluid. This is a slow growing cancer that often occurs without obvious symptoms, making routine testing a critical self-care resource.

Who is at risk for prostate cancer? All men are at risk for developing prostate cancer, although it is rare for it to occur before the age of 40. As men age, however, their risk increases. About 60 percent of cases occur in men who are over the age of 60.

While all men should be tested for prostate cancer, African American men and those with a family member who was previously diagnosed with cancer should be even more vigilant. In fact, African American males are 56 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men of a similar age.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer? As cancer develops in this region, it often grows without noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they tend to include issues with urination and sexual function. In some cases, men may experience discomfort in their hips or lower back too.

How can men protect themselves? Men of all ages should routinely schedule a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. While uncommon in younger men, early testing provides a baseline against which prostate health is measured in later years. Certainly, by the age of 50, men should seek testing every two to four years.

Like most forms of cancer, prostate cancer is more successfully treated when caught in its early stages. The absence of noticeable symptoms makes it more difficult to do this, which is why testing is an important component of men’s health care. Any Lab Test Now offers a quick walk-in PSA Test that provides men insight into their prostate health and allows them to address any concerns with their doctor more quickly.